Dos Pueblos High School says farewell to the Class of 2026

And so the bell rang.

Four hundred ninety nine Dos Pueblos High School graduates walked the track one last time at Scott O’Leary Stadium as they prepared to flip their tassels and leave high school behind.

“The graduating class of 2026 at Dos Pueblos High School exceeded the high expectations set for them,” said principal Bill Woodard. 

The 59th graduating class had among them 16 IB diploma recipients, 20 national merit scholars and 440 students who completed CTE pathways. 

In program-specific achievements, Dos Pueblos Engineering Academy graduates built professional quality museum displays and Dos Pueblos athletics had one of its most successful seasons in recent memory with 10 Channel League titles and two CIF titles. 

DP Media also received multiple national awards during the 2025-26 school year, including the Journalism Education Association First Amendment Freedom of Press award. The Dos Pueblos Mock Trial team were champions in a national tournament and DP’s Robotics team earned a berth in the world championship. 

Not only did this year’s graduating class complete over 50,000 community service hours but they also led Santa Barbara County in every academic area and helped Dos Pueblos be named a California Distinguished School.

This year’s graduation came with some somber reflections as well. A moment of silence was held for Michael John Ochsner who was due to graduate this year but passed away in May of 2025 in a fatal car crash that claimed the lives of three DP students.

Scott Guttentag, the counselor and activities director known as “Mr. DP” also said his farewell to Dos Pueblos, as he is retiring this year. He sat on the stage with the other counselors, but wore a graduation cap decorated with Mickey Mouse, his name, and “30 years” written on it. 

Associate Student Body president Justin Ji spoke to the graduates and the crowd, urging them to “focus on the moments in between” and be present in life. He also said to remember what it means to be human and focus on what makes you unique.

Student speaker Sterling Streatfield centered her speech around an instruction manual detailing what the class of 2026 should do after high school, which included steps such as remembering to charge your devices and embracing your Charger spirit.

Senior Class President Valeria Delgado said that she was worried she wouldn’t find her community at Dos Pueblos, but was quickly proven wrong after joining multiple programs including Cheer, Theater, Engineering and Avid. 

“DP has been the most welcoming community I’ve been a part of,” Delgado said. And she managed to fit in a thoughtfully placed 6, 7 joke in her speech as well.

“In 50 years, when I’m 67 years old, you will still be my community,” Delgado said. 

Throughout the ceremony, videos of teachers giving their advice to the graduates were played on a large outdoor screen. While many offered words of wisdom about classes, managing stress and remembering to have fun, some had quite specific advice.

“Grow a mullet,” said Assistant Principal Ian Perry, showing off his mullet. “It’s good for business and casual.”

As graduates threw their caps and found their families and friends, the Dos Pueblos community celebrated yet another memorable school year.